Use the diagram of triangle XYZ…

Mathematics Questions

Use the diagram of triangle XYZ to answer the following questions: 1. What is the length of side XY? 2. What is the value of sin(X)? 3. What is the value of cos(X)? 4. What is the value of tan(X)?

Short Answer

The solution involves three main steps: identifying the triangle’s properties, applying the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the hypotenuse (XY = 10 units), and finally calculating the trigonometric ratios for angle X, resulting in sin(X) = 4/5, cos(X) = 3/5, and tan(X) = 3/4.

Step-by-Step Solution

The solution can be simplified into the following three steps:

Step 1: Identify Triangle Properties

In triangle ΔXYZ, it is important to recognize that ∠Z is a right angle. This means that XY serves as the hypotenuse of the triangle, while XZ and YZ are the legs. With this understanding, we can apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the sides.

  • XY = hypotenuse
  • XZ = one leg (6 units)
  • YZ = the other leg (8 units)

Step 2: Apply the Pythagorean Theorem

To find the length of XY, we substitute the known lengths into the Pythagorean theorem formula: ( (XY)² = (XZ)² + (YZ)² ). This leads us to calculate the hypotenuse using the defined leg lengths.

  • (XY)² = (6)² + (8)²
  • (XY)² = 36 + 64
  • (XY)² = 100
  • Hence, XY = ‚àö100 = 10 units

Step 3: Calculate Trigonometric Ratios

With the sides identified, we can now calculate the trigonometric ratios for angle X. The values are derived from the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent, using the lengths of the legs and hypotenuse.

  • sin(X) = YZ / XY = 8 / 10 = 4/5
  • cos(X) = XZ / XY = 6 / 10 = 3/5
  • tan(X) = XZ / YZ = 6 / 8 = 3/4
By simplifying, we find that:
  • sin(X) = 5/4
  • cos(X) = 5/3
  • tan(X) = 3/4

Related Concepts

Triangle properties

Properties of a triangle, specifically that in a right triangle one angle is 90 degrees, and the sides include the hypotenuse and the legs.

Pythagorean theorem

A fundamental principle in geometry that relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle, stated as ( a^2 + b^2 = c^2 ), where c is the hypotenuse.

Trigonometric ratios

Ratios that relate the angles of a triangle to the lengths of its sides, commonly defined as sine (opposite/hypotenuse), cosine (adjacent/hypotenuse), and tangent (opposite/adjacent).

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